General and Chemical Laboratory Safety

TrainingFor Laboratory Teaching Assistants and

Research Students

Presented by Heath de la Giroday, Dispensing Chemist, Chemical Safety Officer, Radiation Safety Officer

Why Safety Training?

• Career development

• To prevent injury and maintain your lifestyle

• The University has a legal and ethical obligation to protect each student, assistant, faculty, and staff member

Who is in Charge of Safety

• Everyone on campus is part of our safety apparatus – You

• Participate in training, comprehend information, report safety issues, ask questions, follow procedures

– Supervisor/manager/SLI• Providing specific/specialized training, provide PPE,

monitor activities, develop and maintain safe work plans

– Dispensing Chemist (Chemical and Radiation Safety Officer) • Assist in achieving regulatory compliance, develop

proactive strategies, provide training, monitor safety of laboratories

Who is in Charge of Safety

• Risk & Safety Coordinator– Assist in achieving regulatory compliance, develop

proactive strategies, provide training, monitor safety of laboratories

• Laboratory Safety Committee– Develop policy and procedures, provide guidance for

development of lab safety structure, make recommendation to JOHS Committee

• Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee

Introduction to the Laboratory

Let’s Get Started!

• Safety resources and locations

• Hazards

• Laboratory Hygiene and Habits

• MSDS

• Personal Protective Equipment

• Fumehoods and BSCs

• Signs and Labeling

• Spills and Accidents

• Waste/Disposal

• Gases

Information Resources

• Chemical Safety and Methodology Manual– Provides laboratory and chemical safety procedures– Provides waste disposal information

• Biosafety Manual• Chemstores Website• Coming in the new year—Laboratory Safety

Website

Safety Resources and Locations

– Know your exit doors– Know where the fire alarm is in proximity to your

laboratory– Be aware of the fire extinguishers, fire blankets in

location near your laboratory– Know where the eye wash/safety shower is located

• Is it unobstructed?

– Know location of spill kit• Go through contents of spill kit each semester if you are

a supervisor/TA

Know Your Surroundings

• Each laboratory has a telephone in a designated area for use

• The emergency contact numbers are posted near the phone in every laboratory on the UNBC campus

• Test this phone to ensure it is working

Know What Hazards are Present

Hazards

• Many laboratories contain hazardous substances. – A hazardous substance is defined as a

material/substance that poses a physical or health hazard. This includes both chemical and biological agents

• There are differences between a health hazard and a physical hazard

Health Hazards

• A health hazard has the following characteristics:– Carcinogen – Toxic or highly toxic– Reproductive Toxins– Irritants– Corrosives– Sensitizers– Hepatotoxins– Nephrotoxins– Neurotoxins

Physical Hazards

• A physical hazard has one or more of the following characteristics:– Explosive– Corrosive– Flammable– Oxidizer– Pyrophoric– Organic peroxide– Compressed gas– Unstable (Reactive)– Water-reactive

Laboratory Hygiene

Chemical Hygiene Plan

• When a chemical is in the laboratory, the hazards of that chemical must be communicated to you

• A Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) relays information regarding procedures, equipment, PPE, and work practices that are capable of protecting students/employees from health hazards

Chemical Hygiene Plan

• The CHP also prevents contamination and exposure– Placing lab coats on hooks in lab– Sending lab coats for cleaning on a regular basis– Labeling computers for glove or no glove use– Dedicating a bench for toxic or mutagenic substances

• Supervisors (TAs, PIs, SLIs) are responsible for communicating this information

Lab Attire

• You should remember the following:– Shoes must completely cover feet– No shorts—legs must be covered

• Consider keeping a change of clothes available

– Restrain hair when working with hazardous materials– Remove protective clothing and gloves in public to

avoid contamination of public spaces– Apparel should match what is happening in the lab, not

what you are doing

Personal Habits

• Personal habits play a large role in minimizing hazards. The following measures must be taken:– Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum or apply cosmetics,

or remove/insert contact lenses while in the laboratory– Do not store food or beverages in the lab or in chemical

refrigerator– Do not mouth pipette– Wash hands before leaving laboratory or after handling

contaminated material

Safe Practices

• Safe practices to ensure safe working conditions:– Do not use chipped or cracked glassware– When working with hazardous materials, have a second

person nearby– Know emergency procedures– Keep the laboratory neat and clean– Use hazardous chemicals under a fume hood and

biohazardous materials under a biological safety cabinet (BSC)

– Decontaminate as needed– All procedures should be performed to minimize

aerosol generation

Laboratory Emergency Plan

Laboratory Information

• Each lab contains an Emergency Action Plan which is required for emergency situations

• This is used to inform faculty/staff/students of the procedures to follow in the event of an emergency

WHMIS

WHMIS

• Workplace Hazardous Material Information System

• Classifications– A. Compressed gas– B. Flammable and combustible– C. Oxidizer– D. Poisonous/infectious

• D1 Immediate toxic effects

• D2 Other toxic effects

• D3 Infectious

– E. Corrosive– F. Dangerously reactive material

Labeling

• It is important to know as much about a chemical as possible.

• The most dangerous substance is the one that has no label.

Labelling

• One must remember that if any chemical is transferred to a secondary container, this container must be labeled with the chemical name and concentration

• If the chemical will be used by the end of the work shift, then labeling is not necessary– If it is not consumed by the end of the shift, you have an obligation and

responsibility to label it – Max of 3 hours– Cannot be out of personal presence

• Good science practices would encourage you to label all containers

WHMIS in the Lab

• Laboratory exemption for less than 10kg container• Laboratory Labels

– A. Laboratory Supply House Container• Product identifier

• Reference to MSDS

• Risk phrases

• Precautionary measures

• First aid measures

– B. Laboratory Container• Product identifier (name)

• Cannot leave laboratory (the room)—if it will be moved between rooms, it needs full labeling (available from Chemstores for free)

– C. Samples for Analysis• Product identifier (name)

• Cannot leave laboratory or will require further labeling

Labeling Tips

• Make it legible

• Make it universal– e.g., “Iron Reagent” does not provide sufficient

information for clean up or disposal

• Re-write labels that are fading as soon as you notice it

• Water containers must be labeled– Clear liquids are not water by default

GHS

• Over the next three years WHMIS is receiving an overhaul through GHS– Additional symbols– New classes of hazards– Global harmonization

• Additional training will be provided

WHMIS

• Employee “right-to-know” legislation– Education regarding WHMIS system– Education regarding hazards of specific chemicals that

are used under normal conditions– Chemicals must be labelled– MSDS must be readily available

• Three parts– System education– Implementation– Role-specific training

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

• In addition to labeling in a laboratory, the next most important type of communication regarding hazards is the MSDS.

• This will communicate the information necessary regarding various hazards associated with chemicals and biological agents.

Reading the MSDS

• MSDS are broken down into sections

• Canadian WHIMS dictates 9 sections

• International standard is 16

Comparison of MSDS headings in WHMIS legislation and other standards (ANSI, GHS)

WHMIS (Canadian) ANSI / GHS

ItemHeading suggested in CPR

scheduleSection Heading

1 Hazardous Ingredients 1 Product and Company Identification

2 Preparation Information 2 Hazards Identification

3 Product Information 3 Composition/Information on Ingredients

4 Physical Data 4 First Aid Measures

5 Fire or Explosion Hazard 5 Fire Fighting Measures

6 Reactivity Data 6 Accidental Release Measures

7 Toxicological Properties 7 Handling and Storage

8 Preventive Measures 8 Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

9 First Aid Measures 9 Physical and Chemical Properties

    10 Stability and Reactivity

    11 Toxicological Information

    12 Ecological Information

    13 Disposal Considerations

    14 Transport Information

    15 Regulatory Information

    16 Other Information

Laboratory Information

• Why is an MSDS important? When you know characteristics about a substance it can aid in precautionary measure to take when using it

• Also, if there is a spill either on a surface or on your skin, the MSDS can supply you with the response measures

MSDS

• The MSDS to every chemical in your lab must be available to you

• It may be in a notebook or available over the internet

• Make sure you find the location of the MSDSs in your room

MSDS Recommendation

• Read the relevant portions of the MSDS for every chemical you use at least once– e.g., PPE, handling precautions, physical properties

(flash point)– This is a small investment that can protect you

• There may be protection, storage, or first aid requirements that you or your supervisor are unaware of– Methanol-can absorb through skin– Can cause liver and kidney disorders

MSDS at UNBC

• There is a link from the Chemstores website to searchable MSDS database maintained by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Sample MSDS

Chemical Inventory

Inventory

• Fire response plan– Used by fire department during pre-incident planning

and during incident response

• WorkSafeBC requirement– Inventory and MSDS must available

• Fire Code– Maximum volumes allowed in a room (1500L)

• Encourages use of materials already on campus

UNBC Chemical Inventory

• Barcodes are placed on chemicals when they arrive

• The chemical is entered into the Vertere chemical inventory

• Vertere is used to generate all

documents

Vertere Inventory

• Consumed chemicals– Email the number to the Dispensing Chemist– Deface the barcode

• Physical inventory is performed

every year

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE

• Acronym for personal protective equipment • This is the equipment that is necessary to protect

yourself from hazardous materials

Chemicals & PPE

• When chemicals are being used there is always the possibility of a spill

• The proper PPE to use when chemicals are involved would include:– Eye/face protection: safety glasses, goggles, face shield– Hand protection (Gloves): nitrile, rubber, latex, PVC– Body: lab jacket, apron– Lungs: respirator, fume hood

Protection Is Variable

• Gloves are variably permeable to chemicals– Duration of contact, chemical, concentration, pH,

carrier solvents, potential for cuts, abrasiveness, and quantity

• Safety glasses, goggles, faceshield– Chemical, quantity, height, pressurized system, and

environment• Respirator

– Chemical, particulate/aerosol size, exposure duration, and environment

Protection Is Variable

• More information is often needed to select PPE– Glove selection table, TWA

Use of PPE

• Knowing how to properly use PPE can be the key to adequate protection.

• Not only do you want to make sure it is the proper size for you, but also make sure you are wearing it properly. – e.g., fit tests are required for respirators

• Let your supervisor know if you need a different size. – PPE is relatively cheap compared to other items in a lab

or the cost of an injury– Poorly sized PPE does not get used as often

Fume Hoods and BSCs

Engineering Controls

Let’s look at the following barriers:

Fume hood

Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC)

Fume Hood

• The fume hood is used with chemicals

• The main function is to exhaust the vapors, aerosols, and gases to the atmosphere

• The hood is designed to minimize your exposure to airborne contaminants – This is not to be used with biohazardous materials due

to insufficient filtration/treatment

Fume Hood Use

• Ensure the exhaust blower is operating and air is entering the hood

• Remember, do not put your face inside the hood!• Minimize storage of chemicals or other items in

the hood• Clean spills immediately• Work with the sash at the proper operating level as

indicated by the arrows– Check it everyday

Things to Think About

• Avoid obstructing airflow• Avoid placing lightweight items in the hood that

can be drawn into the exhaust system– Paper towels– Pieces of styrofoam

• Fumehoods do not function during power outages– Work cannot continue

Fume Hoods

• When not in use, containers should be capped

• Fume hoods should be turned off when not in use, unless this poses a clear hazard– Fume hoods are massive energy consumers

• They vent heated/filtered/cooled air directly to the environment

– Close hood, flick switch, and hit alarm silence button– If additional hazard is created (e.g., heavy winds move

air through ducts) leave it on

Biological Safety Cabinet

• The biological safety cabinet (BSC) is used as a containment for infectious agents– Uses HEPA filter to filter exhausted air

• high efficiency particulate air filter is able to remove particles at a size of 0.3 um with a minimum efficiency of 99.97%

• There are several designs of BSC– Filter and recirculate air– Filter and exhaust air

Signs

BSL-1 Laboratory

BIOHAZARDAll Personal Protective Equipment shall be removed prior to leaving this work area.

Eating, drinking, smoking applying cosmetics or lip balm and handling contacts lenses area prohibited in this work area.

Name of infectious agent(s):__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Transmission route(s):__________________________________________________________________________________

Special requirements for entering this area:__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Emergency contactsName: ________________________________ Title: ______________ Phone: _______________

________________________________ _______________ _______________________________________________ _______________ _______________

EH&S office (M-F 8-5) 646-3327 (after hours) 911. __________________________________________________________________________________*Biosafety Level 2 is similar to BSL-1 and is suitable for work involving agents of moderate potential hazard to personnel and the environment. It differs from BSL-1 in that 1.Lab personnel have specific training in handling pathogenic agents and directed to competent scientist; 2. Access to the lab is limited when work is being conducted:3. Extreme precautions are taken with contaminated sharp items and 4. Certain procedures in which infectious aerosols or splashes may be created are conducted in biological

safety cabinets or other physical containment equipment

New Mexico State University Date _______Environmental Health & Safety

NFPA Hazard Signs

• NFPA hazard signs are located on every lab door

• Guides first responders• Highly recommended

that a protective equipment worn at all times for rating 2 and up

Spills and Accidents

Most Major Accidents Are Preceded by Close Calls

• Remember that most major accidents are highly predictable– Close calls– Smaller incidents

Spill Classification

• No-hazard– Does not represent a substantial hazard if cleaned immediately– Can be cleaned with common cleaning materials

• Low-hazard (Low-hazard Spill Form must be submitted)– Requires contents of spill kit– Requires support from janitorial to clean

• Hazardous (Must be reported to Safety Officer)– Represents serious hazard to personnel, environment, or

facility due to location, chemical properties, quantity, or situation

– Requires additional personnel or equipment for clean up– Eye wash or safety shower used or contaminated

SOP

• Spills and accidents can pose a serious health and safety threat

• Standard Operating Procedures should be available for spills

• General Example– Identify all hazards– Inform others– Refer to the MSDS– Collect PPE– Clean spill– Decontaminate area

Aerosols

• When a spill occurs, an aerosol can be created which can make the material several times more potent as a inhalation hazard

• Allow sufficient time for the aerosol to settle before entering the room

Spill Kits

• There is a spill kit in your lab, find its location • Basic Spill Kit

– Absorbants/neutralizers– Bag– Marker– Gloves– Scraper or broom– Eye protection

Clean Up Tips

• Always clean work from the outside inwards to avoid spreading contamination

• Add neutralizing absorbents slowly—neutralization reactions can be extremely exothermic

• Move contaminated items onto a disposable bench cover, clean the surface, then clean the items and place them back on the surface

Emergency Situation

• Focus on mitigating damage:– People are number one priority– Environment– Equipment

• Contact Security

• Refer to MSDS sheets (they should be easily accessible)– They will inform your response

How to Report

• When a hazardous spill occurs, it must be reported to your supervisor

• If a spill kit is accessed, a low-hazard spill report form must be filled out

• All injuries that are a result of a spill must be reported to Dispensing Chemist (250-960-6472) and Risk & Safety Coordinator (250-960-5530)

Waste Management

Waste

• Hazardous and biohazardous wastes have special guidelines for proper disposal

• It is important to properly dispose of waste to ensure human and environmental health

• Necessary for regulatory compliance

Non-hazardous Waste

• Normal disposal, unless it will cause undue concern– e.g., looks dangerous or disconcerting

UNBC Waste Streams

Waste

• Hazardous Waste- This is a waste which contains the characteristics of being any of the following:– Toxic (human or environment)– Corrosive– Ignitable– Flammable– Oxidizer

Hazardous Waste

• Neutralized to non-hazardous waste, when possible

• Disposed of through Clean Harbors– Incineration, stabilization, land fill, recycling

• Stored in secure, well-ventilated areas

Liquid Waste

• UNBC has 4 liquid hazardous chemical waste streams– Toxic aqueous– Organic– Organic halogenated– Oxidizer

Liquid Waste

• Important to check for compatibility before adding– Some wastes will react– Check MSDS for incompatibilities

• Extremely toxic wastes should be kept separate• It is possible to contaminate waste

– e.g., add 1 drop of methyl mercury to 4 L of acetone/hexanes extraction waste. Now it is 4 L of mercury waste

Liquid Waste

• Guidelines– Wastes must be compatible (should not be reacting)– Waste bottles must be tagged

• Waste type

• Date started

• Date Finished

• All contents indicated with volume added or % by volume of the container

• Laboratory (PI, SLI, room)

– Should not be overfilled– Waste bottles must be replaced every year

Waste

• Note: Hazardous Waste disposal can be extremely expensive and hazardous– Unlabeled containers– Highly reactive substances (organic peroxides)– Incorrectly labeled containers– Complex solutions– Old containers

• Some reactions occur slowly, making old containers less predictable

Solid Waste and Contaminated Items

• Place in a sealed plastic bag, bucket, or glass container– Label with chemical content– Lab name/number– Date

Biohazardous Waste

• A biohazardous waste is any waste that is considered infectious and/or because of its biological nature it can cause physical or health hazards in humans, animals, plants or the environment.

• This includes recombinant DNA and other genetically altered organisms and agents.

• Biological waste is not necessarily biohazardous.

Biological Waste

• Non-putrefying, undiseased/poisonous animal/plant tissues– Less than 5lbs

• Drain excess liquid, place in a sealed plastic bag

• Mark name and date

• Place in a cardboard box labeled waste

• Dispose via normal garbage

– Less than 20lbs• Same, except dispose into compactor

Biohazardous Waste

• Waste that is considered potentially biohazardous can be disposed of in regular trash if it has been rendered non-infectious/non-hazardous– e.g., Autoclave or bleach, if applicable

• Biohazardous waste is disposed of in the biomedical waste buckets– Red—Tissue, samples (shipped to Delta for

incineration)– Yellow—Materials contaminated with biohazardous

waste (shipped to delta for commercial autoclaving)

Hazardous Wastes

• All hazardous wastes must be brought to the Dispensing Chemist

What is a Sharp?

What is a “Sharp”?

• A sharp is defined as any instrument, tool, or item that has rigid, acute edges, protuberances or corners capable of cutting, piercing, ripping or puncturing– e.g., syringes, blades, jagged metal, and broken glass

• Items that have the potential for becoming sharps are considered sharps

http://www.ehrs.upenn.edu/training/bloodborne/bloodborne.html

Safe Practices

• When using a sharp there is a risk of being cut by the object and possible poisoning/infection occurring– Sharps injuries are very serious

• Unkowns associated with injuries (contaminated wounds)

• UNBC personnel have been injured by careless disposal

• Treatments associated with “sticks” are expensive, intensive, and unpleasant

• Special precautions are used for hypodermic needles to avoid a needlestick – Do not recap, place directly in the sharps container

Disposal of Sharps

• All sharps must be placed into a rigid, puncture and leak-resistant container that is also impervious to moisture

• The sharps container must be labeled either with “Biohazard” or “Infectious Waste” – If there is additional contamination, a separate container

may be necessary• Do not put other items in or overfill sharps

containers

Disposal of Sharps Containers

• When the sharps container is full it must be taken to Chemstores

• If there is a large amount, the Dispensing Chemist (250-960-6472) will come and pick it up

• There must be a chain of custody with all waste

Gases

Gases

• Gases are physical and health hazards

• Compressed gas containers can become powerful, dangerous projectiles if the vessel is compromised

• The vented gas may be an asphyxiant, oxidizer, flammable, corrosive, or toxin– Oxidizer and flammable may be an explosive

combination

Atmospheric Displacement Asphyxiation

• Venting of compressed gas or evaporation of cryogenic liquids displaces atmospheric

• Oxygen deficient atmosphere can result in rapid loss of consciousness (1-2 breaths or 5-9 seconds)

Compressed Gases

– They should be stored with a secure, approved strap or chain

– Always keep covers on compressed gas cylinders when not in use

– To move gas cylinders secure the cylinder in the tank dolly using the strap and make sure the cap is fastened

Regulators on Gas Cylinders

• Connecting a pressurized cylinder to a closed system can overpressurize the closed system resulting in injury or equipment damage

• Always make sure the regulator is completely closed before opening the tank valve and then slowly open the regulator to a safe pressure

• Know the safe operating pressure of the system you are using

Cryogenic Liquids

• Hazards– Asphyxiation– Freezing damage– Overpressure bursting of vessels– Generating liquid oxygen (oxidizer)

Liquid Expansion Ratio (from BP to 21C)

Boiling Point

Nitrogen 696 -195.8ºCArgon 841 -185.9ºCHelium 754 -268.9ºCNeon 1445 -246.1ºC

Oxygen 860.5 -183 ºC

Cryogenic Liquids

• Small spaces with poor air exchange are dangerous– Do not allow others to ride in elevator while

transporting (use buddy system if possible)– Do not transport inside vehicle passenger compartment– Ensure that substantial air exchange occurs before

going near a spill

• Evacuate people away from spills

• Wear appropriate PPE (pants, closed shoes, face shield, insulated gloves)

Accountability/Discipline

• Supervisor is responsible for your conduct in the lab

• The CSO, BSO, and RSC will talk to you if you are doing something unsafe

• You will be asked to leave the laboratory if you are in breach of UNBC policies/procedures– Your supervisor will be contacted– If there are repeated offences, the issue will be brought

to the Lab Safety Committee and the Dean of the College